Growing

As I sit here at my desk, and look out of my window, I can't help but notice the new buds on the trees, the sprinkling of pollen, the sun being out (and being out longer) and hearing the voices and giggles of children playing outside carry in through that open window.
It is a time of rebirth, a time of newness, but also means the arrival of allergies and asthma, brought on by all those signs of spring.
It made me think that sometimes even growth can be hard. I like to pitch growth as a wonderful aspect of life, and a great opportunity for newness and new opportunities. But sometimes, it is really hard to look past the immediate challenges it brings on.
Just thinking about it makes me shudder. Remember when your dad would tell you "It builds character" (UGH!) or someone tells you "If it doesn't kill you, it will make you stronger" (OUCH!). Sometimes, looking at the bright side just doesn't cut it. Or what if that bright side isn't really what I was hoping for?
In the past few months, the growth of the group has both inhibited it, and sparked new change. But these seem to be changes that we are all struggling with. We grew because of our success. But now that growth is hampering us.
In a few weeks, the majority of the youth will be graduating from high school. But, because of any one of a number of things, our success is leaving us very short on new youth to carry the torch. We're trying to recruit, but perhaps we're too intimidating. Some of the youth who aren't graduating have kind of grown beyond the group - they've gotten what they need on Tuesday nights, and are now feeding their appetites in other ways - whether through music, sports or jobs.
I harbor the youth no illwill for this - in fact I completely understand it. Sometimes, when you're given the opportunity to grow, you have to take it, even if it means hampering someone else. The growth of the youth is just like the pollen - great in and of itself, but for some, it leaves a nasty allergic reaction. Their growth has left a void in the group - it has left us short-handed.
But I know that youth groups go through change, ebb and flow, get bigger and then smaller.
This growth spurt, too, shall pass. Let's just hope our budding flowers drop seeds for next year's buds.